SEVENTEEN Member Exposes Extreme Methods During Trainee Days, Triggering Backlash

Recently, video clips of SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan on a Japanese show garnered much attention.

In particular, fans were in absolute shock after hearing his stories about his trainee days.

I even went through a training exercise to practice my breathing by holding my breath as much as I could while lying down, and my vocal coach would stand on top of my stomach so my breath wouldn’t give out.

— Jeonghan

He also confessed he would take the longer route on purpose.

I didn’t want to go to the practice room quickly, so after my vocal lesson, instead of taking the subway, which normally took an hour, I would take the bus and go the long way around, which would take two hours.

— Jeonghan

He would even make up a lie to eat outside.

I also remember wanting to go out to eat, so I would say I was going to the restroom, then run off to buy a hamburger or something else to eat before coming back inside.

— Jeonghan

However, fans were furious with the company for making the members go through a “living hell” as trainees.

what in the actual trainee hell was this??? they were literally fighting for their dreams every single day

— jaz 吉ᴮᴼᴬᴿᴰ (@svtfever_13) August 2, 2026

wtf?? that’s absolutely sick, standing on a trainee’s stomach?? free svt from that nasty company

— kai | scoups birth month (@kaixthv) August 2, 2026

they were abusing these kids in public did u think they weren’t doing it in private too

— mikey (@seobmeal) August 2, 2026

Uhm what the actual fuck…?

— 𐂂 (@hani_iochrus) August 2, 2026

SEVENTEEN